Georgia football: Best 2022 games the Dawgs aren’t playing

Georgia football will play its share of big games this season. Still, other matchups across the country that don’t involve the Dawgs could have significant implications on the College Football Playoffs.

The defending national champions are seeking another playoff berth in 2022, so the outcomes of some of these games could determine who Georgia faces if it does make another playoff appearance.

Georgia’s outcomes matter, of course, and taking it week by week is essential, but it’s also interesting to look at what other teams have to do to get to the playoffs. Sometimes these games are what decides who gets in and who gets the boot.

Let’s look at the most important game in each Power 5 conference, with the level of importance determined by contending for the conference title and a playoff berth.

Georgia football should pay attention to these Power 5 matchups.

While the Dawgs aren’t playing these games, it’s still something to pay attention to and watch because as long as the Dawgs keep winning, a loss for one of these teams could mean a lot.

SEC — Alabama vs. Texas A&M

In what will likely be the most anticipated matchup of the entire season, the Aggies will travel to Tuscaloosa for a game that could decide the West.

Bama will be looking to exact revenge after an upset loss in 2021, and after a long offseason of bickering and finger pointing, this game will be personal for both sides.

The expectations surrounding A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher have never been higher with the recent recruiting level he has done. Coming out on top against the Tide in back-to-back seasons would go a long way in solidifying the Aggies as a contender in the West. However, this does not seem likely, with questions still looming at the quarterback position.

Alabama head coach Nick Saban is hoping to avoid another rebuilding year, but that shouldn’t be an issue with the Tide being double-digit favorites in every game this season.

The offense will still be led by the Heisman-winning quarterback Bryce Young, and the additions of Jahmyr Gibbs at running back and Jermaine Burton at wide receiver should make for another elite offensive season. Will Anderson highlights a defensive unit that should be improved and could find himself drafted as a top-five pick at year’s end.

This game should be competitive for a bit before Alabama ultimately asserts itself and pulls away. Surprises can happen, but the Aggies will be outmatched by a better all-around team.

Prediction: Alabama 38 – Texas A&M 13

Big 10 — Ohio State vs. Michigan

Another matchup with major playoff implications and a possibility for revenge, The Game, will be a must-watch in 2022.

Michigan captured its first win over Ohio State since 2011 last season, ultimately resulting in its first College Football Playoff appearance. However, the Wolverines did lose some production from last year’s team so that the tables could turn right back to the Buckeyes this season.

Ohio State will be in the running for the top offense in the country, led by star quarterback C.J. Stroud. Though the Buckeyes did lose some talent on offense, the cupboard is not bare after returning both the leading receiver and rusher from 2021.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba could potentially be the top wide receiver in the country after a breakout campaign last season. Running back, TreyVeyon Henderson will look to build upon an excellent freshman season in which he accounted for over 1,500 yards from scrimmage and 19 touchdowns.

Ohio State has dominated this rivalry recently, winning 16 of the last 20 matchups. Look for that trend to continue in 2022 as the Buckeyes push for the playoffs.

Prediction: Ohio State 45 – Michigan 20

ACC — Clemson vs. North Carolina State

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney will be looking to right the ship this year after a disappointing 2021 season.

The matchup’s winner will likely be the favorite to win the conference, as the ACC Coastal division does not project to be as competitive. The Wolfpack got the best of Clemson last year in double overtime, and this year’s game could be just as close.

Clemson will feature one of the best defensive fronts in the country, but questions remain regarding the offense. The Tigers’ 362 yards per game on an offense ranked second worst in the conference. Fans hope to see quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei bounce back after an abysmal 2021 season.

N.C. State boasts one of the top quarterbacks in the conference in Devin Leary. He will have his work cut out for him against Clemson’s front seven, but his play could be the difference in the game.

Clemson will be an improved team in 2022, and with the strength of its defense, all it needs is for the offense to at least be competent to win games. N.C. State will give the Tigers a game, but the superior defense should prevail in this matchup.

Prediction: Clemson 24 – NC State 20

Big 12 — Oklahoma vs. Baylor

The Big 12 is wide open with no absolute favorites to compete for the conference championship.

Baylor will look to defend its conference title with the return of its dominant defensive front. Question marks surround the offense after losing a sizable amount of talent to the NFL. Still, a new starting quarterback and a highly rated offensive line could be promising for the potential of the Bears’ offensive unit.

Oklahoma is a program in a massive transition period and will look substantially different than it did in 2021. New head coach Brent Venables should address one of the Sooners’ perpetual weaknesses — defense. For a team that has been known for its offense in recent years, there is still uncertainty revolving around that side of the ball entering 2022, but it might not be all bad.

After losing the top two quarterbacks on the team from last season, Oklahoma was able to land UCF transfer Dillon Gabriel. New offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby coached Gabriel before, having held the same position at UCF in 2019. Lebby left UCF after that season for Ole Miss, and the success he had with that offense and quarterback Matt Corral is promising for what could be to come for the Sooners’ offense.

Oklahoma could surprise some people this season. Since Baylor will have to travel to Norman for this matchup, it could prove to be a very tough contest to win.

Prediction: Oklahoma 30 – Baylor 21

Pac 12 — Utah vs. USC

Excitement seems to be returning to the Pac 12, and this matchup could be the deciding factor in the conference’s potential to produce a playoff team in 2022.

Utah is returning a good portion of its production from 2021, highlighted by quarterback Cameron Rising and running back Tavion Thomas. Rising will look to improve upon a solid year after throwing for 2,493 yards and 20 touchdowns with only five interceptions. Thomas shouldered the load out of the backfield, carrying the ball 204 times for 1,108 yards and 21 touchdowns.

The Utes will have some production to replace on defense at the linebacker spot, but overall project to field another highly competitive team with big goals in 2022.

The new USC Trojans will be one of the more exciting teams to watch this season. Newly hired head coach Lincoln Riley has fans excited for what’s to come offensively after producing multiple Heisman winners during his time at Oklahoma. That side of the ball could be electric after plucking quarterback Caleb Williams and wide receiver Jordan Addison from the transfer portal.

The biggest question mark that surrounded Riley’s Oklahoma teams will follow him to USC. Defense was never a strong suit of those teams, and the Trojans were one of the worst defensive teams in the country last season. That will likely be what prevents USC from making an immediate jump into the playoff conversation.

Some consider Utah to be a darkhorse playoff candidate. Winning this game will put the team on track to win its second consecutive conference title. Utah will be battle-tested after opening the season against Florida in the swamp, and a win in both games could help the Utes’ argument for a playoff berth.

Prediction: Utah 38 – USC 31

These non-Georgia football games are the ones to watch because so much is on the line as everyone wants to be one of those final four teams. Georgia is looking to repeat, but a little help from other Power 5 teams eliminating each other makes it a little easier for the Dawgs.